Artwork
Concert
Concert is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Hendrick ter Brugghen. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Hendrick ter Brugghen painted Concert in 1626, during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. The work is an oil on canvas that portrays a modest musical gathering, rendered with a subdued palette and a single candle as the source of illumination. It belongs to the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
Subject & Meaning
The scene presents two figures engaged in music-making within a dim interior. The left-hand figure, smiling, holds a dark‑toned lute, while the right-hand figure wears a vivid yellow dress and a feathered hat, suggesting a casual, perhaps domestic, performance. The intimate setting reflects the period’s fascination with everyday activities and the social function of music.
Technique & Style
Ter Brugghen employs chiaroscuro, using the candle’s warm glow to model the faces and drapery while the surrounding darkness deepens contrast. The bright yellow garment is highlighted against the muted background, creating a focal point. The handling of light and shadow shows the influence of Caravaggio, a hallmark of the Utrecht Caravaggisti.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, Concert entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition history reflects the museum’s broader efforts to collect Dutch Baroque works, though specific details of its earlier ownership are not recorded in the available sources.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Jansz ter Brugghen (or Terbrugghen; 1588 – 1 November 1629) was a Dutch painter of genre scenes and religious subjects.
